“Tell me what has been happening here. What is the plan? What have you heard about Father?” she asked.
“Those men will be leaving tomorrow, Alyssa. They do not need to stay any longer.”
Alyssa stiffened, releasing his arm. “Of course they will stay, Father would expect them to.”
“I’m glad you arrived today,” Simeon continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “The Leaving is planned for tomorrow and my confirmation the following day. Reid is finalising the preparations as we speak. Come, you must be tired, your maid is here and she can assist you to your room.”
“I am not tired, Simeon. I want to know exactly what the ceremony for Father will entail. You weren’t going to hold the Leaving without me, were you?” she asked, her eyes glinting dangerously. “I expect to see that the full Leaving ceremony is performed by Silene at the Grove.”
“Ah, Silene was not available, so the Father will perform the ceremony,” Simeon blustered.
Alyssa came to an abrupt halt. “Why is Silene not available? Have you even asked her?”
“Now Alyssa, don’t be difficult. I’m sure you’re tired; come, let Millie help you to your room.”
“Don’t you dare, Simeon. You will honour our father appropriately and request that Silene presides, or you will regret it.”
“Don’t you threaten me.” Simeon grabbed her arm and scowled at her. “I am the Lord of Greenswatch, and I will decide what we will do; you will obey my orders. Don’t think you can come here and twist me around your little finger as you could Father.”
“What happened, Simeon? Why would you not pay our father the respect he is due?” Alyssa refused to cower before her bully of a brother.
“You’re just a girl; you wouldn’t understand,” Simeon sneered. “I have to make my presence felt from the beginning. I am the new Lord of Greenswatch.”
“You would receive more respect from the people around you,” Alyssa said, wrenching her arm out of Simeon’s grip, “if you gave those people a little respect in return. How can people support you if you don’t value them? Our people loved Father. If you can’t honour the relationship he had with Greenswatch and its people, then you are to blame for the damage you do to yourself. Can you not see? Let Garrick arrange the Leaving. Reid can spend his time on your confirmation.”
Simeon wavered. He stiffened as Reid approached. “Apologies for the interruption, Lord Simeon, but I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation. I am more than capable of arranging a Leaving and a confirmation. Please do not be concerned.”
Alyssa glared at the thin, angular man her brother depended on. He was dwarfed by his black robes, which accentuated his pale face. “This is a private conversation, and your intrusion is unwelcome,” she snapped. She couldn’t believe the gall of the man.
Simeon glanced between the two. “Thank you, Reid, I am glad to hear everything is in hand. Please escort my sister to her room. I am sure she is tired after her journey.”
Alyssa jerked as anger coursed through her, and her lips tightened. “I am quite capable of finding my way. This is my home too, don’t forget!” Simeon flinched at the expression on her face. “I do not require an escort,” she said as she stalked off.
When her maid Millie arrived, Alyssa was still pacing up and down her room. “Miss Alyssa, what in the Lady’s name are you doing? You need to rest before dinner. Here, let me help you out of your habit. A quick wash will get rid of the dirt, and then you can relax.”
Alyssa allowed Millie to help her undress and wash, thinking furiously as she obediently lay down on her bed, as if she needed a nap at her age. What was Millie thinking? She listened to her maid moving around the room until she gathered the travel-stained garments and left, shutting the door behind her.
Waiting for a moment, Alyssa listened intently and then got up, rummaging through her wardrobe for a simple gown she could manage on her own. She would send Jennery for Silene. He knew where she lived, and then Silene would be able to talk some sense into Simeon.
Alyssa paused with her hand on the door latch as she heard voices outside in the corridor. She listened carefully, eyes widening as she recognised the voices of Millie and Reid. That man’s voice grated on her nerves; there was something she didn’t like about him.
Millie was flirting with him. Alyssa couldn’t think of a more disgusting person to get close to than him. She shuddered delicately at the thought and listened harder. Was Millie reporting her movements to that creep? They moved away down the corridor, and Alyssa gingerly opened her door and peered out. The way was clear, so she flitted down to the room she thought Garrick would have provided for Hannah, and she tapped lightly on the door.
She slipped into the room as Hannah closed the door behind her. Alyssa clasped Hannah’s hands. “Hannah, you have to help me,” she whispered.
“Whatever has happened?”
“I need you to ask Lieutenant Jennery to go and fetch Silene. My brother and his nasty henchman are watching me, and Millie as well. I can’t believe Millie would betray me like that. Simeon is refusing to give my father the full Leaving ceremony tomorrow. I need Silene to talk some sense into him.”
Hannah took a deep breath. “Let me get this right. You want Jennery to bring a lady called Silene here to speak to Lord Simeon? And that Silene must convince Lord Simeon to give Lord Hugh the full Leaving ceremony tomorrow.”
“Yes, he must bring her tonight. Tomorrow will be too late!”
“What is the world coming to when a man’s child won’t provide his father with a proper Leaving ceremony. My, my, child, leave it with me. I’ll go now. Jennery will bring her, don’t you worry.”
“Oh, thank you, thank you. I am sorry to impose, but I
